Sunday, June 29, 2008

Talking About Clown Music

I took my cousin to the Brooklyn Flea today. As we wandered past the eclectic stalls, I caught sight of this old-timey music album: "Fairground Favorites: Music of the Circus Midway". I had to have it.

Look at the clown, how he shrugs, his "So, I'm a clown" expression confessing so much while saying so little, mostly because it's a picture. If only the old clown could talk.

The back cover of the album has some wonderful flavor text. It's too good not to post the whole thing:

The spashy colors, the smells and the nostalgic sounds of the circus midway are brought to life on this record! Featuring authentic old-time fairground instruments recorded by the latest in modern techniques you'll almost feel that you're there in person as you hear the melodies.

On its way into town the Tangley Calliope leads the circus parade. Its high-pressure tones are carried by the wind a mile away--and bring people in throngs to see the caged lions, the red and gold painted bandwagon, the jolly clowns and the ponderous elephants.

"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!," cries the circus barker. Before you try your luck at pitching rings you pause in front of the gay little (but very LOUD!!!) Wurlitzer brass trumpet organ. It then becomes silent for a few moments as the roll rewinds--and then the trumpets sound forth again! People come by the dozens to see what is making all the music!

Now we go for a ride on the merry-go-round. Climbing aboard our brightly paited steed we gallop up and down to the strains of the mighty Wurlitzer 165 band organ as it plays "Our Director" and "Skater's Waltz." All-too-soon the bell clangs and the carousel comes to a stop. We step down and, for a change of pace, head for a nearby pavilion for some soda and ice cream.

Music! Music! Music! In the circus the music is everywhere! As we pause to collect our thoughts we are fascinated by the mellow strains of the Jazz Orchestra which sounds just like a toe-tapping combo!

Before we realize it our day at the circus is over. Now we can hardly wait 'til it comes to town again next year!

The prose is so vivid, you can almost smell the carnies. Notice, they don't mention how the ring toss is probably rigged, the appalling conditions of the caaged lions, or the substandard working conditions. Maybe things were different then. Maybe.

Unfortunately, I do not presently own a turntable so I won't actually get to listen to the album for the moment. Until then, I'll just bask in sad-eyed stare of the old-timey clown. Jolly, indeed.